Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas Recipe
This Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas recipe combines the creamy, spicy flavors of jalapenos and cream cheese with crispy bacon and gooey melted cheeses inside a warm, toasted flour tortilla. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or snack that brings together the zest of jalapenos with savory bacon and a blend of mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, all quickly cooked on the stovetop for a crunchy, melty treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 quesadillas (serves 2-4) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Quesadilla Ingredients
- 2 large flour tortillas, burrito size
- 4 strips bacon
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
- 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the bacon strips and cook until they are almost crispy, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: While the bacon is cooking, mix together the cream cheese, shredded mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside for later.
- Cook Jalapenos with Bacon: In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking the bacon, add the diced jalapenos to the skillet to cook alongside the bacon, allowing them to soften and infuse flavor.
- Drain Bacon: Once done, remove the skillet from heat, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, and let it cool slightly.
- Combine Jalapenos and Bacon: Add the cooked jalapenos to the prepared cream cheese mixture, then roughly chop the cooled bacon and add it as well. Stir to integrate all the ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Quesadilla: Return the same skillet to medium heat without wiping it out. Place one tortilla flat in the skillet, then spread about half of the cream cheese and bacon filling evenly over one half of the tortilla using a spatula as needed.
- Cook Quesadilla: Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheeses are melted inside. Repeat the assembly and cooking process with the second tortilla and remaining filling.
- Serve: Remove the quesadillas from the skillet, cut into wedges, and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- For less heat, be sure to remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos thoroughly.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon or omit for a vegetarian variation.
- If you like extra crispness, press down gently with a spatula while cooking the quesadillas.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for added flavor.
- Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature to facilitate easy mixing.
Keywords: jalapeno popper quesadillas, bacon jalapeno quesadilla, cream cheese quesadilla, spicy appetizer, easy quesadilla recipe
